Royal Blue: Everton FC boss David Moyes has strong hand in contract talks

YOU wouldn’t want to play poker with David Moyes. When it comes to matters of importance, the Everton manager is a master of concealment, and manoeuvring – remaining stoney-eyed and expressionless under questioning and revealing only what he wants.

YOU wouldn’t want to play poker with David Moyes. When it comes to matters of importance, the Everton manager is a master of concealment, and manoeuvring – remaining stoney-eyed and expressionless under questioning and revealing only what he wants.

The slightly gruff exterior he often presents to journalists is largely a default setting which can hide a myriad of emotions, but the Blues boss rarely allows his mask to slip. So woe betide anyone who engages in negotiations with him, and currently – to persist in poker terms – Moyes is holding a pretty strong hand in the talks that matter.

For the first time this week, the Scot flashed a bit of the muscle which his imminent contract expiry provides, when he revealed that he won’t talk about his new deal until after January.

For him that means the club refusing to entertain bids for Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini while allowing him to strengthen where possible so as to keep a top four finish possible in this, his watershed season in charge.

Previously he has simply batted the question away with vague soundbites about there being no rush for him to sit down with Bill Kenwright because, as both remind us often, they speak regularly.

But while the pair’s relationship remains strong, the recent departure from the script was telling. Moyes isn’t afraid to use the situation he finds himself in to try and gain a little leverage when it comes to his ambitions for Everton.

Make no mistake, the perfect outcome for the Blues boss is Everton qualify for the Champions League and he signs a new deal.

So if there is any room to push and prod the board to do what they can – and remember they are not sitting on a pot of gold here – he will. It’s a shrewd tactic and if it works in the short term and suitors for Everton’s prize assets are rebuffed in January it could succeed. After all, should the Toffees fail to break the top four there’s every chance that the club can cash in on the pair next summer and the rebuilding precess can begin all over again albeit with a question mark hanging over who will mastermind it.

Perhaps the only dud note in Moyes’ mind games is the suggestion that Everton fans might be bored of him. That won’t wash. If he goes in May it will be on his terms – and nothing to do with 99% of supporters who revere him.